Lowestoft Town chief pleased to open with Whitehawk trip

Lowestoft Town’s Ryman League Premier Division campaign starts with a long trip to Whitehawk this weekend and director of football Craig Fleming couldn’t be happier with the fixture.

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Whitehawk were promoted from Ryman League Division One South as champions last season and as such may be seen as a team to avoid whilst the promotion ‘bounce’ wears off, but Fleming is glad his Blues squad get one of their longest away trips out of the way early in the season.

“I’m really pleased we are playing them early in the season because it’s one of our longest trips,” said Fleming, who has been busy adding three new bodies to the squad this week in the form of Aaron Jones, Osiris and Amando. “We don’t want to get caught out like last season where we find ourselves travelling to places like Hastings on a Tuesday night.

“It will be good to get it out the way early in the season. They have spent a lot of money and as champions of their division last year will be going into the season full of confidence.

“What we have learned though about the league is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. We’ve started the last season seasons like a house on fire before faltering in the new year.”

Fleming has already formulated in his mind what his starting XI will be at The Enclosed Ground tomorrow but has told his squad not to be too disappointed if they are not one of the chosen few.

“I know the team now. We’ve played a lot of games but one of the messages we’ve got to get across to the players is that we are going to need every single one of them. There are going to be injuries, suspensions, loss of form etc throughout the season. Everyone is going to have to be ready to play their part.”

Neither Amando nor Osiris will be available as they await international clearance and Fleming wants fans to be patient with the Portuguese pair whilst they settle at Crown Meadow.

“They are raw at the moment but they have both certainly got something,” he said. “It will take them a bit of time to adjust to what we expect of them but they won’t be available for a few weeks whilst they wait for international clearance so that will give them a chance to bed in with the squad even more.”

The acquisition of Aaron Jones, grandson of the late Gorleston owner, Jimmy, is a coup for the Blues according to Fleming.

Jones, who can play in midfield or at right back was released by Ipswich in February.

“Sammy Morgan gave us the heads up on him when he was released by Ipswich. He was close to getting a contract there and Sammy rang me up to see if we would be interested.

“He has played a couple of games for us and we’ve been impressed. He is young and ambitious and hopefully we can help each other along to where we want to be.”

The responses by Matt Gilchrist and Sam Garner to being left out of the Fakenham Town starting line-up have shown exactly what manager Wayne Anderson wants to see from his players, writes Gareth Davis.

But not Fakenham powerlifter Ian Tudor, who having reached that age last October has been working to get back to the top of his sport after being side-lined with injury for the best part of three years.

Members of the meat trade could soon be playing a prominent part in power-lifting in the Fakenham area.

Five butchers have joined Fakenham's power-lifting club and all were given a taste of competition by being allowed to guest lift at the divisional single lift bench press championships held in the town, writes Peter Bird.